The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

The ultimate collector   Dec 06, 2008
This is an excellent book into the life of Warren Buffett. I thought it was well written and liked the year by year account of this extraordinary investor. A must read.

More Than One Way To Be A Billiionaire - The Tortoise vs. The Hare   Dec 05, 2008
In one word: BORING.

Like many of the readers of this book, I was excited at the prospect of gaining insights and perspectives from Alice Schroeder's "unprecedented access" to Warren Buffet. I definitely feel I have gained insights, but not from the content of the book, but rather the style that it is written.

I think it is unfair to put the weight (and it literally is a very hefty book) of the plodding words on Ms. Schroeder's shoulders. She was an insurance industry analyst who wrote about finance, not exactly exciting stuff here. What is important to note is that Warren Buffet was impressed enough to choose her as his biographer.

The choice reflects his personality. The writing style reflects his personality. I think when a billionaire gives the ok to have a book written about him, that book is going to be exactly the way he wants it to be.

The book is tedious and boring to read. When I have trouble sleeping, I pick it up and read about 50 pages and that pretty much is enough to send me off to dreamland. This doesn't mean that the book is not useful or interesting. However, the writing goes into excruciatingly detailed minutia about Warren Buffet's father's life, his grandfather, the house he lived in, etc.

I got a sense that Warren Buffet is a private man who likes to share facts, figures and detailed trivia. There is a detached aloofness when emotions are mentioned. It doesn't feel like Mr. Buffet is really opening up.

I also got a sense of a very methodical man who took the tortoise approach to building and maintaining his fortune. This is a book for the left-brained of the world who can appreciate Warren Buffet's very linear approach to life.

I think what also made this book seem more boring to me was that I had just previously read Losing My Virginity: How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way. Richard Branson's life was a complete opposite to Warren Buffet's. Branson's approach was to fly by the seat of his pants and he wrote a lot about sex, drugs and partying. His coming of age in the 60s was radically different than Buffet who grew up during the depression.

What I find most interesting is that there is more than one way to become a billionaire. Branson is the hare for the right-brained creative types. And Buffet is the tortoise for the left-brained mathematical types. Since they're both billionaires, you can't really say one approach is better than the other. One approach does look like a whole lot more fun though ;).

Well worth your time   Dec 05, 2008
I'm about 25% of the way through the book and I have to say I'm glad I bought it. His life has many facets that you would not expect. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it so far and even laughed out loud several times reading stories of his past. I look forward to reading it each night.

A Beautiful Mind   Dec 05, 2008
After reading this wonderful biography, I want to thank Mr. Buffett for allowing the story of his life to be told, warts and all, and Alice Schroeder for doing such a great job in writing this book. I finished reading The Snowball, Warren Buffett and the Business of Life a few days ago and I truly miss not being able to read another chapter of Mr. Buffett's life.

There is so much to comment upon in this book and much has already been said. However, what I would like to focus my comments on is the wisdom contained on the pages of this book if it is read in a thoughtful manner. This is not a book that contains an algorithm designed to enrich the reader in buying securities. It is a book about the Business of Life. It is about a highly gifted man who developed his business skills and work ethic in order to record a superior score on his inter score card.

There are two quotes that come to mind, which demonstrate Mr. Buffett's character and what he stands for. The first was when he was involved in the work-out at Salomon, Inc. after the management had deceived the Treasury Department in connection with trading rules. He said to the employees, "Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding. Lose a shred of reputation for the firm, and I will be ruthless." (pg. 603)

On another occasion in later life, while commenting on life, he said, "Basically, when you get to my age, you'll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.
I know people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them. If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don't care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.
That's the ultimate test of how you have lived your life. The trouble with love is that you can't buy it. You can buy sex. You can buy testimonial dinners. You can buy pamphlets that say how wonderful you are. But the only way to get love is to be lovable. It's very irritating if you have a lot of money. You'd like to think you could write a check. I'll buy a million dollars' worth of love. But it doesn't work that way. The more you give love away, the more you get." (pg. 761)

The Snowball is replete with nuggets of wisdom from not only Warren Buffett, but also Charlie Munger. I highly recommend that you read this book. If you do, there is no question that you will enrich your own mind.

An Oracle about the Oracle of Omaha   Dec 04, 2008
Alice Schroeder has written a classic that will be the definitive work in revealing the life and character of a very complex man. Not just for students of investment, this book is motivating and inspirational for students of life.

Most books written about Warren Buffett explain how he amassed such wealth; primarily writing about business relationships. Alice Schroeder has uncovered many personal details previously not known, which answers the "why" in many of Buffett's actions.

Although the book is extensive, it was necessary to encompass such a large scope. Alice Shroeder's writing is relaxed and communicates clearly making this book a pleasure to read.

After reading The Snowball, I am surprised to know why Buffett wants to leave one of the largest legacies in the history of mankind. I am truly inspired by his actions and am in awe of his character. He is an incredible example of a life well lived.